Can We Still Be Friends
| "Can We Still Be Friends" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Todd Rundgren | ||||
| from the album Hermit of Mink Hollow | ||||
| B-side | "Out of Control" (US), "Determination" (UK) | |||
| Released | May 1978 | |||
| Recorded | 1977 | |||
| Studio | Utopia Sound (Lake Hill) | |||
| Genre | Power pop[1] | |||
| Length | 3:34 | |||
| Label | Bearsville | |||
| Songwriter | Todd Rundgren | |||
| Producer | Todd Rundgren | |||
| Todd Rundgren singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Can We Still Be Friends" is a song written and originally performed by American musician Todd Rundgren. It was first released in May 1978 as a single from his album Hermit of Mink Hollow, reaching No. 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 in Australia. The lyrics describe the amicable end of a romantic relationship.
The song was subsequently covered by British musician Robert Palmer in 1979, appearing on his album Secrets and reaching number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song has also appeared in notable film and television productions, including Dumb and Dumber (1994) and Vanilla Sky (2001).
Todd Rundgren version
Rundgren released his version on his 1978 album Hermit of Mink Hollow. In an interview with Songfacts, Rundgren said that the song was "really a song about the best possible way to end a relationship. It isn't necessarily about a specific person."[2]
This was the only hit single on the album, reaching No. 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100,[3] and also peaking at No. 8 in Australia and No. 37 in Canada. Rundgren played all the instruments and performed all the vocals on the track, as he did with the rest of the album.
In 1994, the song made a prominent appearance in the film Dumb and Dumber, for which Rundgren had composed the score. It also appears on the soundtrack for the 2001 film Vanilla Sky, and the TV series Nip/Tuck.
Critical reception
Cashbox felt that the song resembled Rundgren's earlier work and that his "melodic flair" would translate to crossover appeal on album oriented rock and contemporary hit radio.[4] Record World called the song an "easy-going ballad" and said that Rundgren's "mellow voice and style should make his name one to watch in '78."[5]
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1978) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 8 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] | 37 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[8] | 45 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 63 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1978) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[10] | 54 |
Robert Palmer version
| "Can We Still Be Friends" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Robert Palmer | ||||
| from the album Secrets | ||||
| B-side | "Too Good To Be True" | |||
| Released | November 9, 1979[11] | |||
| Studio | Compass Point (Nassau, Bahamas) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | Island | |||
| Songwriter | Todd Rundgren | |||
| Producer | Robert Palmer | |||
| Robert Palmer singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio video | ||||
| "Can We Still Be Friends" on YouTube | ||||
In 1979, "Can We Still Be Friends" became a hit again when British musician Robert Palmer recorded a version for his album Secrets.
Chart performance
| Chart (1979–1980) | Peak
position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[13] | 52 |
| Dutch Top 40[14] | 32 |
References
- ^ Sendra, Tim. Sounds of the Seventies: 1978 (1991) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ^ Wiser, Carl (April 2, 2015). "Todd Rundgren : Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100, Chart Listing For The Week Of Sep 02 1978". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
- ^ "Singles | Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox. April 29, 1978. p. 28. Retrieved June 6, 2026 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "R&B Picks of the Week" (PDF). Record World. May 5, 1978. p. 50. Retrieved June 6, 2026 – via World Radio History.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 261. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 6970a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Image 4620". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "Todd Rundgren Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
- ^ "Kent Music Report No 236 – 1 January 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1978". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 8 January 2022 – via Imgur.com.
- ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 32.
- ^ Deggans, Eric (January 1, 1998). "Robert Palmer". In Graff, Gary; du Lac, Josh; McFarlin, Jim (eds.). MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 439.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100, Chart Listing For The Week Of feb 16 1980". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
- ^ "De Nederlandse Top 40, week 51, 1979". Retrieved September 25, 2022.
